If the government shuts down, the following will happen:
- Many federal workers (potentially around 900,000) will be furloughed, meaning they are placed on temporary leave without pay. Essential federal employees will still work but will not receive paychecks until the shutdown ends, including air traffic controllers, TSA officers, and military personnel. The first missed paychecks could occur in mid-October.
- Services deemed nonessential will be suspended or delayed. This includes national parks closing, delays in passport and visa processing, and interruptions in benefit programs like the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program and potentially the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if the shutdown lasts longer.
- The U.S. Postal Service will continue to operate normally because it is funded by its own revenue rather than federal appropriations.
- Certain critical government functions such as the military, FBI, CIA, emergency medical care, and national security-related activities will continue but may face operational constraints.
- Economic impacts may include delayed payments from government suppliers, higher interest rates on government bonds, increased credit rates, disruptions in the real estate market, and potential negative effects on GDP growth if the shutdown persists.
- Some government data releases such as employment reports will be paused, affecting financial markets and monetary policy decision-making.
In summary, a government shutdown causes widespread disruptions, unpaid leave for many federal workers, suspension of nonessential services, and creates ripple effects in the economy and daily lives of many Americans. Essential government operations will continue but behind the scenes with challenges.
